State Sen. Rudy Hobbs, D-Southfield today announced his candidacy for a Detroit-based congressional seat expected to come open next year. / Andre J. Jackson/Detroit Free Press

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Detroit Free Press Washington Staff

WASHINGTON — State Rep. Rudy Hobbs, D-Southfield, announced his candidacy for a Detroit-based congressional seat expected to come open next year.

Hobbs, Democratic floor leader of the Michigan House of Representatives, said he will run for the nomination in the 14th congressional district. U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, currently holds the seat but has said he will run in 2014 to replace U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, who is retiring.

“Michigan deserves a member of Congress who has demonstrated leadership on the issues critical to hard-working amilies and one who commits themselves to supporting every neighborhood in the 14th district.”

Hobbs was raised on Detroit’s east side and moved to Southfield as a teenager. He later worked for U.S. Rep. Sander Levn, D-Royal Oak.

The 14th district runs from downtown Detroit through the east side through the Grosse Pointes before swinging west to touch Southfield, Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield then runs northwest to cover Pontiac.

Hobbs becomes the first announced candidate, though some supporters have been urging former U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke - who lost the primary to Peters last year when the two entered the same district - to run again.